Hello. My name is Erik Martin and I'm working on a new story for The Costco Connection (the consumer magazine for members of Costco stores) on the following topic:
H2 WHOA – IS MY TAP WATER SAFE? In the wake of the lead-contaminated water crisis in Flint, Michigan, many Americans are asking if there home's water also contains lead and is unsafe to drink. Alarmingly, the Environmental Protection Agency says between 10% and 20% of our exposure to lead comes from contaminated water. This piece would examine the health/contamination risks to a public water supply, why readers should be concerned, how you can quickly and easily test for lead in your home's water, why investing in a home water filtration system is worth it, how you can quickly and easily test for lead in your home's water, and more. For this story, I am seeking to interview public health experts, a physician or researcher, and a citizen/consumer who had to resolve a contaminated tap water problem in their home. I can either conduct a phone or email interview (with the latter, you can type up responses to my questions below and email them to me). My deadline to complete all interviews is Wednesday, March 9 by noon central time.
QUESTIONS:
1. (FOR CONSUMERS):
a. What dirty/contaminated tap water problem did you experience, when did this occur, and what caused the water problem?
b. To what extent and for how long did this problem affect you and your family?
c. How did you resolve this issue – did you install a water filtration system, for example?
d. What recommendations would you give readers as to why they should be concerned about the quality of their tap water and how they should try to resolve the problem?
e. What is your full name, and city and state location?
f. Are you a Costco member, and if so, for how many years?
2. (FOR PUBLIC HEALTH AND/OR HEALTHCARE EXPERTS): How serious is the problem of dirty/contaminated water in the public water supply for Americans today? What are some of the health repercussions/illnesses/symptoms that people can experience from drinking dirty/contaminated tap water?
3. Do you have any data/research that underscores this problem?
4. What are some of the common causes of dirty water/contaminated water in the public water supply – for example, lead pipes that leach? Inferior filtration measures at nearby water treatment plants?
5. What are some red flags that citizens should be aware of indicating that their tap water is unsafe to drink (e.g., cloudy color, strange smell, etc.)?
6. What can and should readers do to make sure their tap water is safe for drinking – even if it looks and tastes clear? Should they have their tap water tested, if so how and how often?
7. What should readers do if they determine their tap water is not safe to drink or even if they are suspicious of tap water that appears to be safe? What products/choices can they pursue, and what are the pros/cons/prices of each choice (e.g., a whole house water filtration system, bottled water delivery service, etc.)?
8. How and to what extent should citizens hold their local/area governments accountable for suspicious/unsafe tap water? What recourse can they pursue, and what kind of regular information should they be receiving from government bodies overseeing public water supplies?
9. What are the lessons that need to be learned from the water crisis in Flint, Michigan that can lead to better protecting children and other consumers of public water?
10. Any other thoughts, comments, or tips you wanted to offer on this topic?
11. What is your full name, degrees, title, institution/company (if you’re a business), and city/state location?
12. Are you a Costco member (not required), and if so, for how many years?
Keywords
public health experts, physician, water problem
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